UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, JAMAICA

COURSE PLAN: MATERIAL SCIENCE 1

Lecturer:
Office:
Email:

C. Palmer
SOTAVE Staff Room
cpalmer@utech.edu.jm; palmerchemist@yahoo.com

COURSE DESCRIPTION
This is an introductory course designed to expose student teachers to the principles and
concepts of engineering materials analysis and structural applications with respect to the
fields of Electrical, Mechanical and Construction Technology.
Emphasis is placed on tasks associated with industrial technology problems and solutions.
The student teacher will achieve a better understanding of some of the important
interrelationships among the technology areas. This will have practical value to them in
certain types of project work as well as in their role as Technology Teachers in the
educational and training systems.
DATES
Week
1

CONTENT

READINGS/
REVIEWS/
ACTIVITIES

Course introduction
UNIT 1 - Structure of Engineering Materials
Atomic structure and bonding
Properties of solids, liquids and gases
Crystalline and non-crystalline materials
Characteristics of metals, ceramics and
polymers
UNIT 2 - Effects of stress and temperature on
structural and mechanical properties

Effect of stress on structure

Effect of temperature on structure

Effects of temperature on mechanical

Properties

Fatigue and creep phenomena

Phase diagram for materials

UNIT 3 - Processing metals into components and
alloys

Casting, processing and defects

Deformation Processes and deformation

Powder processing and defects

Joining metals

Alloy processing
TEST
UNIT 4 - Engineering ceramics, glass, polymer
and composite materials

Processing of ceramics

Processing of glass

Processing of thermosets

Processing of thermoplastic
Processing of composites:

Concrete

Asphalt

Wood
Unit 5 - Effects of environment on materials

Chemical principles

Corrosion phenomena

Oxidation

Radiation

Analysis and prevention of failure

Test will be
posted online.

Topics for Group

Research are
based on Unit 4

Page 1 of 2 pages

Unit 6 - Electrical, magnetic and optical properties

of materials
Basic introduction to electricity
and Electronics
Electrical conductivity and
dielectric properties
Optical properties
Magnetic properties
Processing electrical, magnetic
and
optical materials and components
Unit 7 - Materials selection and design
Materials selection techniques
Assembly and finish processes
Designing projects
Quality control

Individual Major
Assignment

Final Project is
based on Unit 7

REQUIRED TEXT:
Horath, L. (year). Fundamentals of materials science for technologies. 2nd Edition. Prentice Hall.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey. ISBN: 0023571616.
RECOMMENDED:
Flinn, R. A. & Trojan, P. K. (year). Engineering Materials and their applications. John Wiley &.
Sons, Inc. New York. ISBN: 0471125083.
:
ASSESSMENT
Group Research
Projects
Test
Final Examination
TOTAL

25 %
15 %
20 %
40 %
100%

Page 2 of 2 pages